Police are appealing for help in tracing a prisoner who has absconded - the second prisoner to do so from the same prison in less than 48 hours.

Police were contacted by Hollesley Bay prison at 8.30pm last night reporting that 30-year-old Lewis Powter was no longer at the premises, Suffolk Police said.

Powter - who has a Dennis the Menace tattoo on his right arm - was last seen at 6.50pm and was not present for the 8pm roll check.

He was serving an indeterminate sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent, and is described as white, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build, with brown hair, blue eyes and is clean shaven.

The last time Powter was seen he was wearing a blue jumper with a white t-shirt underneath, blue jeans and white Ralph Lauren trainers.

He has connections in the Cambridgeshire area, police said.

On Saturday, Hollesley Bay contacted Suffolk Police just after 1pm reporting that 49-year-old Paul Oddysses had left the premises at around 12.30pm.

Oddysses, who was serving a life sentence for attempted robbery and robbery with a firearm, is described as white, around 5ft 6ins, of thin build, with brown hair, brown eyes and clean shaven.

Following Oddysses's disappearance, a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: ''The Justice Secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has ordered immediate and major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.

''Absconds have reached record lows under this Government - down 80% over the last 10 years - but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency.

''Open prisons and temporary licence are an important tool in rehabilitating long term offenders but not at the expense of public safety.''